Sunny in London

Hi my blogging buddies, I hope your all crafting like mad and enjoying your day. I am in London and the sun is shining which makes a change from the rain we have had since I got here.
My friend here has just got a new cabin in her garden, for here crafting, its just beautiful and I am helping her put all her goodies away, ohhh I want to get crafting lol.
I am going to Yorkshire tomorrow for a little hol to see my mum and other family and we are both looking forward to it.
Brian is doing very well and the doctors are very pleased with his progress and we are pleased and happy, it also gives you an uplift and things look brighter.

I will be round later to see what you have been creating, all for now.

Hugs

Going back to the UK again for a little while

Hello my blogging friends

No card today as I have beena bit busy packing to go back to the UK tomorrow plus I had work men in doing the AC’s that broke down, 3 of them in all, so my craft room has been out of action too.

I am having my carpets in the 3 bedrooms replaced with tiles while I am away so all personnel stuff ie clothes bit and bobs, a darn lot clothes and bits and bobs as I found out, had to be removed, I am now totally pooped and I still have packing to finish.

Unfortunately Brian has not been too well so I hope this next cemo we will see some results, he has his cemo again on Friday at the Royal Marsden and then 2 weeks later we go back for his scans to see if this cemo is working or not, I just pray we get positive news this time around and things will be on the up for a change.
We have our son's wedding to look forward too, I can not wait to see Brian in his top hat and tails, somehow I don't think that hat will stay on long :-)

I shall still pop round and see you all, be good while I am away ok sort of good then lol.

Hugs

Wedding

Hi to all and I hope your all having a good day.

I have now finished my sons wedding card and box and would like to show you my results. For the past two days I have been struggling with this wedding card, as it had to be just perfect. Sorry had trouble taking pictures, no matter how I tried I kept getting shadows or too much shine.


In the UK I bought these little creamy white flowers (the ones with the sparkly bit in the middle) and wanted to incorporate them into the design, well trying to get them to stay were I wanted was a nightmare, in the end I had to get the silicon glue out, then pack little objects round them till they set and I had to do the same on the box aggg I hate waiting and these had to be left overnight, but success it worked.

I also sprayed the flowers and paper with pearl glimmer mist and left to dry over night too. I added sparkle to wedding dress and tiara with a silver glitter pen also to the front of the dress and flowers I add tiny gem stones. This is on of Linnie's images and can be found Here




Close up of the flowers.






The box is one I had laying around which had green leafs on, I sanded it all down and covered it with white mulberry paper then covered it again in matching wedding paper from K and Co called Elegance and adorned it with the same flowers and pearls, a bigger size pearls as the little ones looked odd.

Close up of the flowers on the box

Together

I have entered the following challenges.

The box into Sir Stamp a Lot Challenge, which is Bring on the Bling.

Creative Card Crew – Sparkle and Shine


Hope you like my little creations and thank you popping over and looking.

Hugs

What a Day!

Hi All
What a day it is here! its hot and humid, thank goodness for the AC’s plus I got to ironing for 3 hours, how lucky am I lol. How many clothes can you use in 4 days!! well by my pile a darn lot and was I glad when it was over, treated my self and hubby to a nice cuppa and Raspberry and White choc muffins that had just come out of the oven, great timing that, so so yummy, bless! Brian could only eat half so I just had to finish it for him giggle.

In my craft room this afternoon I had a commission card to finish for a friend and this is the result, oh before I tell you about it, she has ordered four more just the same so I will be busy tomorrow, which I love (better than ironing) anyway I digress so back to the card I followed the sketch from Papertake Weekly Challenge which I loved doing, good job as there is another four to do, so thanks for a great sketch this week, it also happens to be one of my favourite images too which is by Pinkcat Studio.

I will list the rest of the ingredients for the card in the recipe section below, I don’t know if anyone reads this bit or if it is even helpful but a lot of my friends order cards they have seen here and at least I know what I used to make it as I can not always remember (age thing lol).




The inside I used the same papers and also a MS snowflake punch.

I have entered it into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly – Sketch

Creative Card Crew – Sparkle and Shine

Spoonful of Sugar – Christmas

Susie and Vikki Christmas Club– Poinsettia



Recipe

Papers - Basic Grey
Image - Pink Cat Studio

Medium – H2o's -Shimmers, Angle Wings

Snowflakes Punch - M.S
Leaf Punch - Mcgill

Sparkle - Copic Pens and White Crystals

Charm – Hobby House

Sentiments – Computer

Pearls Ribbon – Stash
Shine – Glimmer Mist
Poinsettia Flowers – Fred She Said
Distressing Ink – Timmy, Old Paper


Thanks for popping by my place and I hope you all have a good night, see you all later.

Hugs

Quiet Day Today

Hi all,
Today has been a quiet day in the house as Brian is not feeling too well and I am trying to keep quiet in the house as he is in bed resting, this is just one of the effects of the cemo therapy, it makes him feel quiet sick and tired some days, I do feel for him and I wish there was more I could do but sleep is the best therapy.
Thank you to all for the emails and enquires into how Brian is feeling I really appreciate them.

I got to go to my craft room as house work is out of the question and I got a few images coloured, tided the room and made this card (craft room a mess again).




I used an image from Pollycraft called Codi and some new papers I have had for ages and not used, in fact I had forgotten all about them till I was tidying up, I also have flowers (flowers I have used on the card) and butterflies to match.

I distressed ever inch of paper with distressing ink, I love my new distressing tool I purchased can you tell lol, I added faux stitching then layered it all up with foam pads.


Onto the inside and out with my new tool again lol, told you I love it, I thought it lacked a bit of something so I added a punchy bit to the bottom and adorned some more of those flowers and now I like it.

I have entered some challenges

Pollycraft – Stitching – Faux or Real

Pink Elephant - Ribbon and Sparkle

Cup Cake - 2 Ribbon – 2 Papers - 2 flowers

Crafty CardMakers - Birthday

Recipe for this card:

Image - Pollycraft

Papers and Flowers - K and Co, Poppy Seed

Distressing Ink - Broken China, Tim Holtz

Distressing Tool - Tim Holtz

Medium - Pro Markers

Sparkle - Copic Glitter Pen

Sparkle Ribbon and other Ribbon - Joy

Faux Stitching - Copic Liner Pen

Punch - MS

Sentiment - Computer

Pins - Stash

Well that’s all for today and as Brian is still resting I am going round on a blog tour to see some of your creations. Thanks for popping by place today I do appreciate seeing you.

Hugs

Elephants in a Rush

Hi everyone.
Just a quick card tonight, the image is by Lyn from Spiders Corner, this was a little treat for us all who follower her and to celebrate her reaching 300 followers, congratulations Lyn on your followers.

If you fancy this image (who wouldn’t) just pop over to Lyn’s, I’m glad I did and I hope she will have another image soon, thank you Lyn.



Now I have to say I am not that good at elephants and I think its a bit too grey, but hey next time I shall just do the shading bit as I think that will work better.

Challenges for this card:

Crafy Catz – Animals

Basic Grey – Pearls

Totally Paper Craft – Rainbow

Recipe
Image – Lyn Spiders Corner
Papers – Basic Grey
Distressing Ink – Tim Holtz, Weathered Wood
Pearls – Hobby House
Medium – Water Colours
Glitter – Copic Pen
Ribbon – Joy
Sentiment – Computer
Corner Punch – EK


All for tonight and have a good night all.

Hugs

Hi Everyone I'm back again as I wanted you to see this beautiful candy from Tiet.
Now are these stamps just too cute or what !!! just right up my street, she also has the most amazing creations.


http://cardsbytiets.blogspot.com/2010/08/candy-time.html

All for now.

Hugs

Glitter Overload

Hi everyone and I hope you have all had a sparkly day like I have, as you can see from my card I have to show you, it’s rather sparkly and glittery, Stef from Glitterbabes would be proud of me with all this glitter lol.

I got a bit carried away once I got started hence glitter in my hair, all over my craft area and I don’t how I managed this!! I’v even got glitter in the kitchen, I wonder if Brian noticed any in his dinner tonight, if he did he kept very quiet about it.





I carried it through to the inside too, do you think I went a bit over board? errr me thinks so lol but I did have fun!.

I had so much fun I made a tag to match with the leftover’s

I did find some challenges to enter it into, thought I might struggle with the glitter overload.



Friday Sketchers - Sketch

Bah Humbug – Angels and Fairys

Christmas Stamping– 2 Designer Papers

Stamp Something – Fairy Tale Somethings. I interpret this as Christmas Fairy Wishes

Character Cafe – Bright Sparkly Card

Cup Cake Craft – Lace

Winter Wonderland – Tag It


Recipe for this card and Tag

Papers - Bo Bunny
Image - Christine Dark
Distressing Inks - Tim Holtz
Lace - Stash
Bling - Kaban
Sentiment - Computer
Leaf Punch - Mcgill
Medium - Copic, HO2
Glitter Pen - Sakura
Flowers or Snowflakes - K and Co
Glitter - Stampendous


Thanks for popping by my place its so good to see you and also read your comments, I do appreciate it. Have a good night all and I shall be round to see you later.

Hugs

Commision Card

Hi everyone.
I hope your all having a good week, I am as Brian is doing very well, just a bit tired today so no work for him, so while he slept I went off for coffee and cake (so yummy too) to a girl friends who wanted to purchase some of my cards.
To my surprise there was a couple of my other friends there too, it was so good to see them again after such a long time, plus the added bonus was they wanted to see my cards too.
I was so delighted that they loved my cards and as a result I got a few commissions and a few sales :-), so today’s card is a commission one for a friend who wanted a snowman on the front.




I also used the punch on the inside of the card but it’s hard to see the detail in this photo.


I have entered it into the following challenges.


Mojo Monday – Sketch

Cute Card Thursday – Open Theme

Die Cut Dreams Christmas Club – Snowmen

Crafty Card Makers – Punchy

Dutch Dare – Anything Goes


Recipe
Paper and Tree Rub on – Basic Grey
Image - Pink Cat Studio
Medium – HO2
Snowflakes and Border – MS Punch
Sparkle Copic Pens and Stickles
Bling – Kaban
Sentiments – Computer
Ribbon – Bo Bunny


Thanks for popping by my place and looking at my card and I shall see you all later.

Hugs

Commission Card

Hi Everybody It’s been a busy time at my end since I last spoke with you, Brian arrived from the UK on Wednesday night as is doing very well, I think the change of scenery has done him the world of good, he has good and bad days which is only to be expected but on the good days he goes into work for a couple of hours a day, although he does gets very tired, then we know its time for him to rest and take it easy, the time he is at work is good for him mentally too and to see everyone has given him a real boost.
The dear man also brought my computer back, yeh got my digital images, he also brought with him some of my crafting goodies and new stamps I had bought. The card I created last night is with one of the new stamps and is a commission card for a friend I hope she likes it.






Inside with the same colours

I have entered it into a few challenges.

Basic Grey – Pearls and I have used Basic Grey papers.

Glitterbabe – Colour combo of Purple, Pink and Black plus Sparkle.

Creative Inspirations – Recycle – The butterfly is from a card I received.

Kaboodle Doodles - Somthing Metal on your card.

Stamp Something – Photo Inspiration.

Pennys Challenge – Anything Goes.

Simon Says – Sing It – Fairy Godmother from the Shreik 2 film, sung by Jennifer Saunders.

Recipe I used for this card.

Papers -Basic Grey
Image – Lily of the Valley
Sparkle – Copic Glitter Pen and Stickles
Shine – Glossy Accents
Metal Butterfly – Recycled from another card
Medium – Water Colour Pencils and Copic Pens
Punch –Martha Stewart
Ink – Memento
Distressing Ink – Victorian Velvet by Tim Holtz
Pearls and Flowers – Prima
Brads and Spacer – Hobby House
Sentiment – Whiff of Joy
Verse inside – Circa Design

I hope you all have a good day and thank you for visiting me, I really appreciate your comments.

Hugs

Surprise

Hi all I had a nice surprise yesterday Linnie asked me to join her on her new challenge blog called Whoopsi Daisy using her fab images and I was delighted as I used to design for her before I had to go away, I had to give up all my design team post’s as I could not give the commitment I would have liked to do when I went away.

The bad news is I have to go away again at the end of this month as Brian’s cemo will be due and his scans, plus our son is getting married in September so I will not be back until the beginning October, I will be joining Whoopsi Daisy then and I am so looking forward to working with the super DT girls again, just to let you know the challenge over there is Blue and Green this month.


So onto my card, this one is for a friend of mine who has been a great support to me through Brian’s cancer and I wanted to make her something special, I have entered it into a few challenges.

Inside with matching papers


Challenges

Crafts 4 Eternity – Sketch and include Bird(s) and Pearls

Die Cut Dreams – Gingham

Creative Inspirations – Anything Goes

Lily Boo – Anything Goes

Sir Stamp a Lot – Bring on the Bling

Creative Card Crew - Cute and Girly

Thanks for popping by my place and have a really good day.

Recipe

Image – Fron Linnies Daisy Collection Sheet 52
Medium – Copic and Pro Markers
Inks - Tim Holtz
Bling – Prima and Hobby House
Papers - K @ Co Paper Pack – Poppy Seed
Ribbon – Bo Bunny
Flowers – Hobby Craft
Pin and Charm – Hobby House
Sparkle – Copic Glitter Pen

Hugs

Fantastic Candy

Jak’s is have a fabulous Blog Candy, it will run for 1 week and then she will choose a winner on Sunday 8th August at 10pm, so what could you win?


Beautiful images too

Keeping my fingers crossed

Challenges and totally lost without my digital images

Hi everyone well today I tried getting my blog updated and even manage to enter a few candies and visit some of my favorite blogs, to catch up on the gossip in crafting land, don’t like to think I have missed something lol also see what's new in the crafting world and then down to making a card.

It’s funny what you get to like, I left my memento ink pad and some of my stamps in the UK and yes you have guessed those are the ones I wanted to use today aggg
Plus I never brought my laptop back (on my hubbys at the moment) all my digital images are on that one, another aggggggg, onto my card before I explode.

I was lucky with this image as I had a lot of these printed, as it is one of my favorites to use for girlfriends and thank you cards.

The card is for my friend who we stayed with in the UK and who truly deserves a gold medal, and that’s just for going shopping with me lol, well you have to have retail therapy don’t you!! I needed a lot of it heheh.




The inside with matching papers and ribbon.

I did follow a sketch but for the life of me I can not remember the blog site, note to myself MUST write them down, I have found a few challenges to enter it into though.


Simon Says – Dotty ( That’s me right now )

One Stop Craft – Patterns

Prairie Fairy – 3D (do you think layers will cover this?)

Digital Tuesday – Dazzle Me

I am new to this new Mr Linky and I seem to be having trouble it, I fill out the form and wait for my image to show but it never does so I put it in by the direct URL or from my computer then I go to see if it has worked but when I press on the link to take me to my page their is no post there, I need help please my blogging friends as people will get sick of me emailing them or I will have to give upthe challenges and I don't want to do that.

Thanks for popping by my place I do appreciate your comments and visits and I look forward to visiting you too to see your creations.

Hugs

Christmas Card and Challenges

Hi Everyone.
More news today and its all good, my hubby will be flying out next week to join me here, he got the ok from the specialist but he has to go back at the end of the month for his cemo and scans, we still have a specialist here too that knows all about Brians condition incase anything happens, you never know with this rare type of cancer what is going to crop up.
So my little stay has turned out to be a lot longer than I thought as I will go back with him, I will have time to craft while he is resting too.

I got a lot of work done yesterdays so I got to craft last night and I felt a Christmas card coming on, my resolution to make a Christmas card a week went down the pan with all that was going on but I hope to rectify that now ermmm she says with tongue in cheek.

This card is for a friend who likes Pink Christmas’s, I’m a traditionalist myself and like reds and greens but it did fit in with the Cupcake Craft Challenge theme of Christmas and to use pastel colors so I think this fits the bill.

I also used Papertake Weekly sketch which I loved using. The Christmas theme over at Die Cut Christmas Club is Sweet Christmas Wishes, I love entering their challenges as it spurs me on to make at least one card a week.

Well I must dash now as I am going out to a Japanese restaurant with friends tonight and I have to find something to wear, I must have been in out of that wardrobe a million times today and still can not find anything agggg.


Hugs

Back in Bahrain

Hi Everyone I hope all is going great with you all, things on my home front, I am back in Bahrain for a little while as I have things to take care of here, unfortunately Brian was not well enough to join me and he has his next specialist appointment soon and then his chemotherapy.
He is progressing very well and getting better everyday that passes, it does feel a little strange not being with him and I do worry but I have left him in my friend’s capable hands and they will look after him well, I could not have got this far without them, they have been a blessing.

So I am back in the house and all is very quiet and I have been very lucky at this end too as my friend here has been looking after my house and it is spotless so I had nothing to do when I got here.

I got straight to work and made her this card today to say thank you and got her some champagne, chocs and some flowers to go with it.

The inside of my card I made pockets so I can add a gift voucher and a message.

OOH I missed my craft room and it all came flooding back to me and so I went in search of some challenges, I have not entered a challenge since April but I soon got back into it, plus I had all my lovely goodies I brought back from the UK to play with.

The challenges

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Character Cafe - Pocket Card

Lili of the Vally - Sketch

CraftCaz - Summer Time

Stamp Something - Flowery

I shall leave you now as I am going to visit a few blogs and check out what you have been up to while I have been away.

Hugs

Update on England and Hubby

Hi everyone I thought I would give you an update from England, when we got here we were told it was not possible to remove the tumour and all they could do was remove the blockage that Brian had, after his operation the surgeon phoned to say he had removed the tumour also, he said it was hit or miss and so he went for it, he also had to remove most of his intestine as well, I nearly lost him twice on the operating table but they manage to get him back thank god.

He has been in and out of hospital since we got here with complications and has lost a vast amount of weight but he still keeps cheery, bless him.

Unfortunately we were told 2 weeks ago that the cancer still remains in his bowel and liver so we have been down to Surry to the Royal Marsden hospital as Brian had a special scan, the scan involves injecting him with a radioactive tracer before the scan, this will show how far advanced the cancer is plus other things that are a bit too tenical for me to explain, then we go back to the Royal Marsden in London to see the specialist for the results, sometime this week,

If we had not seen this surgeon Brian would not be with me now as the surgeon said he was very ill and he was lucky to still be with us, he was admitted to hospital straight away, and they had to get him well and fit before they could operate.

It has been a hard and worrying 3 months for all of us and we still have a long way to go before Brian is well again, we have good and bad days.
We been staying with friends near London and we could not have done this without their support and friendship, we are so very lucky to have friends like this and thank god for them.

Thank you to my blog friends too who have been a great support to me through emails, cards and your special thoughts.

I hope to go on a little blog hop this week and it will be great to visit you all again, as you might of guessed I have had no time to card make at all and this is the first day I have missed it, as Brian is back at home now and resting a lot till we get the next appointment I might just start a card.

Got to go now keep well all.

News... Going back to the UK

Hi everyone
I just popped by to say thank you to everyone who sent me cards, emails and best wishes for my husband I do appriciate it.
Brian is still in hospital untill Thursday and then we fly to London..UK on Friday morning, as his cancer treatment is not working it has been decide he should be transfered to a cancer clinic in London who deal with rare types of cancer, our son lives just outside London so we will be with the family again.
We are keeping everything crossed that this will work and they can find a treatment for him.

Thank you so much to everyone and I will be back in the quieter moments when Brian is resting to see what you have been up to.

Thank you to all the DT's I worked with, I enjoyed your company and your beautiful work.

Hugs to you all

In2stamps

In2stamps Blog Candy

April has started and Spring is in the air. April is also a special month because In2stamps is now 6 months young.
It's hard to believe 6 months already has gone by since they first started in October 2009. AND next week on Monday April 5th they are presenting their 5th release!!!
Really looking forward to this, they have so many wonderful new stamps coming up!

In2stamps is celebrate all this wonderful news by doing a great blog candy?

Here it is



1 lucky winner will receive following:

1 x Martha Stewart edge punch embossed zigzag
1 x Webster's Pages Petite Paper Collection triple pack (contains the collection: Seaside retreat, Garden Gala & Nature's Storybook)
1 x Jenni Bowlin Superior stick pins antique
1 x Blue Moon charms Heart Leaf
1 x Blue Moon charms Made with love
1 x Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Five
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Yummy for my Tummy
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Mommy's Caring
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Pirate B-Day Party
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Flower Bunny
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Littlebell in flowerpot
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Getting Spoiled
1 x In2stamps unmounted deeply etched red rubber stamp Birthday Ornaments

Wow how fantastic is that.

I bet you would you like a chance to win all these goodies? I know I would, so
Hop on over to In2Stamps for all the details.

The Candy runs until 1st May.

Good Luck!!!

Prairie Fairy Challenge

Good Morning all, I have not been blogging this week as my hubby was taken into hospital on Tuesday morning as he was dehydrated, this is because of the cemo, he has been in a lot of pain too so they are giving pain relieve which can only be administered in the hospital. He underwent a lot of test today so we hope the problem will be sorted soon and he can get back home.

So now I know he is in safe hands and doing well I am back in my craft room, it gets a bit lonely in the house at night time plus it takes my mind of things for a little while.

So onto my card and I hope you are all ready to get creative as it’s time for Prairie Fairy Friday again, thank you to all who entered last week, we loved looking at your creations and wow was their some stunners out there.

This week Robert has come up with the theme of texture so get texturing your cards ladies and enter Prairie Fairy Friday challenge and you could win the following:

Random winner is 5 Images from Prairie Fairy Designs.
------

1 Spot winner will be 3 Images from Prairie Fairy Designs and a guest designer spot for next weeks challenge.
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3 spot winners will get a top 3 badge to show on their side bar.

Ok back to my card and I use the image called Gerrys Birthday Set, in this set you get Gerry of course and also the Presents you see on the card, there’s more, you also get a Birthday cake wow how great is that and you can find this and many more fantastic images here.

He's so cute

I used Basic Grey papers and distressed the edges with Tim Holz distressing tool and inks to give depth and texture.

Gerry and the presents are coloured with Copic, Glitter Pens and Sakurs Gell Pen. The presents were cut out and mounted near Gerry, the presents come separate on the same sheet, the image was then layered onto orange card and layered again onto the base card.



I added fluffy fiber (given to me by Lyn at Spyder's Corner , thank you, I love it) and gems for more texture, lastly the sentiment was done on the computer and distressed and layered in the same way, so I am all textured and distressed out now lol.

You do not have to use a Prairie image but if you have some we would love to see them.

I have entered my card into the following challenges.


Simon Says Challenge – Distressing

Papertake Weekly Challenge – Open Theme


Charisma Cardz - Animals


Roberta is also doing a search for her Prairie Fairy buttons on your blogs, do you have any on your blog!!!! if Roberta spots them you could win.

To find out what you will have to visit the challenge blog .


All for now my blogging friends and thank you for popping by my place and I shall see you later tonight when I shall be round to visit you.

Hugs

Daisy May Challenge

Hi there everyone and today we see a new challenge at Cute Daisy May , but first, last weeks challenge and we had a lot of beautiful creations, you certainly did us proud and thank you for sharing them with us.

Onto this weeks and the challenge is, one for the boys, I made this card for my brother who loves to fish but never catches a thing, well a tiddler now and then lol.


I used the image from sheet 102 you can find Here it was coloured with water colours and the paper was Bo Bunny and distressed with Tim Holtz.

We'd love to see what you do! remember you don't have to have a Daisy May image but we’d love to see what you can do with Linnie’s images if you have some, but if you don’t anything that has got to do boys will be fine.
I shall be back later to enter some challenges.
Hugs